Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1887-05-05
Tears aprang to her ewes.


'Oh! my unhappy friend, what was
it that brought you to this desperate
determinationP'
''What is the use of telling you the
course of wasted life? You are too
young and beautiful and happy to un-
derstand the misery of life as under
stand it. All is past now, and this last
act and your gratitude will make the
end less bitter.'
"But, in Heavens name, can | do
nothing to save youp Are you in need ?
My father Is rich, and will do every
thing, | know, to tear those terrible
thoughts from your heart
He shook his head slowly and reached
her his hand, as they stopped before
handsome mansion on Washington
place.
Goodbye" he said, in low voice.
81 thank you for your sympathy and
your interest, but it is of no use. 1t is
too late. Death has no terrors for me.
Goodbye"
! But she held him back
"Oh! don't go for a moment. Listen
to reason. Bodily deprivations have
sapped up your courage. You must
have something to give you strength
and nourishment. Here, take thisr'
and she pressed her purse into his
hand. at is not much, but it will keep
you from need for the present. That
is for the unhappy one, and this, "
taking off a diamond ring from her fin
ger, "this is for my rescuer."-
She pushed the ring on the little fin
ger of his left hand, and looked up anx-
iously into his pale face.
"Will you not promise me-" she
continued, "to give up your terrible
purpose, at least for to-day. Will you
not for my sake put it off twenty-foul
hoursp"
Twenty-four hours! an eternity!
Why do you torture me-but l promise
your
His deep voice sank to whisper and
deep sigh escaped him.
81 will keep my promise, for am
even now man of my word"
"Come tomorrow afternoon to oul
house, and l know my father will do
what he can to help you.
"Oh, ask no more from me. The
wound is too deep. Do not step in the
way of my salvation. Twenty-fom
hours! | have promised that. But the
remembrance of your sympathy will
make it easier. Goodbye - for.
ever"--
He pressed her hand, then tore him
self away, and soon disappeared in tn,
darkness.
The girl stood on the steps a few
minutes, looking after him. Tear
filled her eyes. Presently she went NJ
the steps and entered the house.
1t was about eleven O'Clock at night
A young man sat on one of the benches
in Union square and looked anxiousl,
up and down, evidently waiting fo
some one. Finally a tall man ap
preached him and sat down on til,
bench.
"WellP" asked the young man.
"That was good haul. Here is al
elegant purse with twenty dollars in it
and diamond ring. which we cal
hang up for twenty-five dollars a
least, besides the watch you nipped."
That's a great go of yours, pal!'
"Immense! When every thing els
plays out | shall go on the stage. Yol
ought to have heard me; the unutter
able tragic tone, the trembling voice
my last good deed =" And he burs
into an uproarious fit of laughter tina
resounded across the silent square.
"She fell in p'
81 should smile. She tremblcd lik
leaf and begged me with chokin!
voice not to take the fatal step. Sh
was handsome, too, and rich. Ibeliev
she would have married me on th
spot. And, Bill, l promised her
wouldn't kill myself for twenty-fou
hours. And | mean to keep it, too.
Then they both laughed again.
''But let's trot, man. I'm terribl
thirsty"
"Well, here is your shooting-iron
Put it away for next time, said tn
tall man, as they walked away.
"But I'll give you one pointer, jim
You needn't hit me so devilish har,
again. I'll fall all right"
The two rogues passed overto Twen
ty-fifth street, and went into a concer
garden just off the square. Jan Ecer'
son, IN Inter Ocean.